Sleeping car



De.; '1, 41931. T. DEOODE 1,834,093

vSLEEPING CAR Y original Filed June 13, 1924 2 snAeets-sheet 1 Patented Dec. l, 19.31

PATENT. oFi-icE TRIMBLE DE ROODE, F NEW YORK N. Y.

SLEEPING CAR REISSUED application mea :une i3, i924, serial No. 719,772. Renewed march zo," 1930,

This invention relates to sleeping cars in general, and more especially to standard sleeping cars having the open berth sections.

Among lthe objects of the present invention it is aimed to afford greater individual privacy for the upper and lower berths, and to facilitate access to the upper berths. To the aforesaid ends, the present invention more specifically contemplates an arrange- 1@ ment of curtains with the standard open berth sections, whereby the occupants o't` the upper berths while dressing or undressing behind their curtains are positioned outside of the curtains of the lower berths and vice l5 versa, whereby the occupants of the lower berths while dressing or undressing behind their curtains are positioned outside of the curtains of the upper berths.

The present invention further contem- ,20 plates the provision of means whereby the occupants of the upper and lower berths of a section may simultaneously be dressing or undressing while adjacent to their berths without intruding upon one anothers privacy.

The present invention still further contemplates an arrangement of curtains for the upper and lower berths whereby the portion of curtain for an upper berth disposed behind the curtain for the lower berth is secured at the lower extremity to insure the privacy of theoccupant of the upper berth, and similarly, the portion of the curtain of the lower berth disposed behind the curtain of the upper berth is secured adjacent to the lower edge of the upper berth to insure the privacy of the occupant of the lower berth.

As another object of the present invention.I 4 it is aimed to provide standing room or head room where the occupant of the lower berth may stand erect outside of the lower berth without intruding upon the privacy of the occupant of the upper berth, and similarly, i5 to provide standing room or leg room where .the occupant of the upper berth may stand erect outside of the upper berth without intruding upon the privacy of the occupant of the lower berth.

5 More specifically, the present invention housing 6 swung out contemplates, the provision of an individual step formation foreach upper berth which preferably forms a permanent part of the car and may `be moved into operative position for use throughout the night. To this end, the step formation may be variously arranged such for instance as equipped `with projection disposed below a recess formed in the lateral side supporting section and an auxiliary upper portion having projections disposed below recesses to form steps.

These and other features, capabilities and advantages of the invention will appear from the subjoined detail description of certain embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which, v

Figure 1 is a fragmental longitudinal section of a car equipped with one form of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental plan of the modification illustrated in Fig. 1. f

Figs. 3, 4u and 5 are modifications respectively o the step portions.

Fig. 6 is a ragmental longitudinal section of a car equipped with one ibrm of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a ragrnental plan showing the modiiication illustrated in Fig. 6.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is shown as used with a standard car having upper and lower berth sections showing four sections, 1, 2, 3 and 4, section 1 being partly broken away.

Since the several sections are substantially identical with one another, homologous parts will be designated by thesame reference character, and to facilitate an understanding of the invention, the several sec-V tions are shown in different stages of conversion from day use to night use, which on account of the identity of the several sections, will at the same time, illustrate the different stages of conversion from day use to night use of each section, section 1 for instance, being entirely closed up ready for day use; section 2 having only the upper berth 5 opened up ready for night use without hanging up the curtains, and the step containing into opened .position j occzlpant of the upper readyfor night use; section 3 having both the upper and lower berths 5 and 7 respectively, opened up` ready for night use with the upper curtain 8 for the upper berth 5 of such section hung up in place ready for night use, and the step containing housing 6 of such section swung out into opened posi- Ation ready for night use; and section 4 having both the upper berth 5 and the lower berth 7 opened out read for night use with the upper curtain 8 for t e upper berth 5 and the lower curtain 10 for the lower berth 7 of saidV section both hung up ready for night use, and the step containing housing 6 of such seetionswung out ready for night use. In such outwardly swung position, the housing 6, of course, forms a partition between the lower berths and the space or room where the legs of a user may be positioned when standing on the steps of such housing 6, the housing 6 thus formin a leg room for the lberth.

-1th the modification .illustrated in Figs.

1 and 2, it is thusseen that the upper'and lower berths of the standard sleeping car in .use today will remain praeticall unaltered, the invention relatin more or ess directly to the curtains and le provision of al step formation for gaining access to the upper berths.

With respect to the arran ement of curtains, the invention Contemp ortion of the curtain of each berth as a 'vision or partition between such berth and the standing room or leg room for the other berth, and using the other portion of the curtain as the door flap for such berth. To

.this end the invention specifically contemplates providing securing means for' securing one portion of the curtain fory a berth to the upper and lower edges of a berth to form the partition, and providing securing means for seeurin the other portion of the curtain merel t t e upper end of such curtain, so that t e lower end of such portion may hang loosely and form the door flap for such. berth.

s an instance, the upper curtain 8 substantially L shaped `as shown in Fig. 1,

and is provided with the usual hooks 11 at its upper edge to engage the supporting rod 12 extending longitudinally of the car, and at the upper ends of thev upper berths 5. The partition forming .portion of the curtain 8 1s the narrow-strip 13, and is provided with asuitable fastening means at its lower edge preferably as illustrated, the loops 14. which are bent around the rod 15 secured to the outer edge of the upper berth 5 and fastened in place by suitable buttons 16. .The partition portion 13 as a rule extends over a half or a little more than a half 'of the'berth. The other portion of the curtain, 17, is not Secured at its lower edge but is preferably provided with an extending portion 18 hangates using one 33 and ing below the lower edge of the upper berthv The curtain 10 for the lower berth isalso' provided with hooks at its upper end as for instance the hooks 19 which are secured to the supporting rod 12, but with the curtain 10, only a portion of the upper edge is provided with the hooks 19, which portion for convenience of description may be 'designated as the doorflap portion 20 which hangs loosely down over the lower berth, and is prefer ably provided with a slit 21 preferably rovided with suitable securin means suc as the buttons 22 and suitab e button holes whereby the opposing edges of the slit 21 may be buttonedtogether to close the upper flap when desired. The curtain 10 has a lateral extension 22 which extends below the lower edge of the upper berth 5 overl which the portion 18 of the upper curtain 8 overlaps and this extension 22 is preferably provided with hooks 23 at itslupper edge to be secured to and bent around the rod 15 and fastened in place by suitable buttons 24, such extension 22 forming the partition for the lower berth spacing the lower berth from the leg room for the upper berth. 22', as illustrated in Fig. 1, preferably extends inside of the step containing-housing 6. From the foregoing it will be seen that each curtain forms a partition and a door flap, the curtain 8 having the partition portion 13 separating the upper berth from the head room for the occupant of the lower berth disposed between the partition portion .13 and the"door flap portion 20 of the curtain 10, and the curtain 10 having the partition portion 22 formingl leg room for the occupant of the upper berth spacing the lower berth from such leg room, disposed between the partition portion 22 and the door Hap portion 18 of the upper curtain 8.

The step containing housing 6 in the present instance resembles a door member which is. pivoted or hinged along one edge as at 25 to one edge of the lateral upright end portion 26 disposed at the lateral edge of the adjacent back rests of two adjacent seats 27 F'ld 28. For the purpose of the present invention it is preferable to provide an end portion 26 that extends substantially to the lower edge of the upper berths 5 as illustrated in Fig. 1.. This end vportion 26 in the present instance is preferably recessed from its upper edge down to the level of the arm rests 29 as shown by the recess 30. The step containing housing 6'is provided with two recesses 31 and 32 each disposed above a step formation 34 whereby the'step formations 33 and 34 extend inwardly' into the recesses 31 This extension lll' A cei`ve the ste and 32, affording a greater area as a foot su port for the occupant of the upper bert without forming an unduly extended step projection. The upper edge of the end portion 26 and the upper `edge of the housing 6 are preferably provided with velvet edgings and 36 for engagement with one another when the housin 6 is swung into closed position, to provide a dustproof closure and at the same time afford a sufiiciently silent closure, and the velvet edging 35 is provided for yieldable engagement with the curtain extension 22 or for silent en agementwith the under edge of the u per rth 5 should the curtain extension 22 be omitted.

Beyond one side of the end portions 26, and in the end board 37 of the seats 27 and 28, and preferably disposed below the position of the housing 6 when opened, there is formed a recess 38 and below the recess 38 a step projection 39, which extends partly outside ofthe recess 38 and beyond the end board 37, and partly into the recess 38 to form an extended supporting area as a foot support to form the first step of the step formation for the occupant of the upper berth.

In Fig. 3, there is illustrated another end member generally designated by the reference character 40, the lower portion or end board 41 of4 which is substantially identical with the end board 37 'of the end member 63.

illustrated in Fig. 1, and is also provided with a recess 42 disposed above a step projection 43 substantially identical with the recess 38 and step projection 39 respectively of the modification illustrated in Fig. 1. Above the endy board 411, however, the end portion 44 has a less altitude than the altitude of the end portion y26 and as illustrated, is substantially one-half the height of the end portion 26 or just hi h enou h to afford the formation of a sing e step 4 This end portion 44 has pivoted thereto a step containin housing 45 which is recessed at 46 above t e step formation 47, the step forwith the recess 46 to afford a greater su orting area for the foot of the occupant o t e up r berth. The end portion 44 is provided with a recess 48 to reportion 47 when the housing member 45 is swung into closed position, against the' end portion 44. i

In Fig. 4, still another form of end member is illustrated which is generally designated by the reference character 49. This end member 49 is substantially identical with the end member 40 having a low end portion 50 similar in height to the height of the end portion 44. In this modification, however, the step containing housing consists of a slidable member 51 provided with a recess 52 and a step pro'ection 53 at the lower end thereof. The en portion 50 is provided mation cooperating with a recess 54 slidably to receive the hous- -fsuch step ing member 51,the housing member 51 when slid out into the -position shown in Fig. 4 being ready for ni ht use and when slid into the recess 54 of t e end portiony 50, being moved out of the way for day use.

In Fig. 5 there is illustrated still another form of end member, which is generally designated b the reference character 55. This end mein er 55 has a ortion 56 which has substantially the same eight as that of the end portion 26 illustrated in Fig. 1. In this modification Fig. 5, however, the end portion 56 is provided witha plurality of recesses, to wit, the two recesses 57 and 58 below which there are formed the step rojections 59 and 60'respectively. Below t e step projection 60, the end board 56 is recessed as illustrated at 61 having a step rojection 62 at its lower end. In the form, illustrated in Fig. 5, the step formations are fixed relative to the end member 55 and assume the same position for day use as for night use. However, when the end member 55 is used for instance with the arrangement of berths illustrated in Fig. 1 in place of the end member 63 there illustrated, in order properly to position the step formations 59,60 and 62 to facilitate access to the upper berth from formations, it is desirable slidably to mount the end member 55, for instance on, a track 64, the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 5 showingthe position of the end member 55 when inday use'and the full line position illustrating theposition` of the end member 55 when ready for night use.

In Figs. 6 and 7 the berths are illustrated in staggered relation to one another with the upper berths overlapping the lowei berths, with which arrangement, the curtains and step formatlons are provided, according to the present invention, that is, an arrangement of curtains and step formations is provided whereby,` head room is provided for the lower berth spaced from the upper berth, for use of the occupant in the course of dressing and undressing, and leg room is provided for the occupant of the upper berth, spaced from the lower berth without intruding upon the privacy of either 1 berth.

In Fig. 6 the upper berths 65 are substantially standard in construction, and the arrangement of the seats 66 and 67 and consequently of the compartments usable as lower berths, generally designated by the reference character 68, are also substantially standard in construction, the main difference in the larrangement here shown from the standard construction being that the lower and upper berths are staggered in relation tov one another with the upper berths overlapping the lower berths. With the modification illustrated in Fi s..6 and 7 ,.it is also desirable to have the en portions 69 of the end members 70 extend up to the level of the lower edges of the lower berth l for the leg room of the of the upper berths 6,5. With this staggered relation, the end portions 69 extend up substantially to the middle of the u per berths and consequently when provided with step formations, the end portlons 69 are in proper position for access to the upper berths from they step -formations, without providing any movable step formations, such as those illustrated and required for the modification illustrated in Fig. 1. The end portions 69 are substantially identical with the end portions 56 of the end members illustrated in Fig. 5, that is provided with two recesses 71 and 72 with step projections 73 and 74 extending from the lower edges of such revcesses 71 and 72 respectively, and the end boards 75 of the end members provided with the recesses 76 disposed below the step projections 74 and having step projections 77 extendin-gfrom the lower edges of the recesses 76.

In this modification, the upper berths are are provlded with hooks 8O at their upper ends adapted to be secured to the supporting rods 81 extending along the upper edges of the upper berths 65. The curtains 78 and 79, have the narrow end portions 82 and 83 respectively which form the partitions between the upper berths and the head room for the lower berths. As an instance, the narrow portions 82 and 83- adjacent to one another at adjacent ends of successive upper berths, together formthe partitions between such adjacent ends of the upper berths and, l the head room for the lower berth disposed there below.- These narrow portions 82 and 83 may be secured in place on the rods 81 more or less tightly, functioning as they do, as partitions. The remaining portions or elongated portions 84 and`85 of the curtains 78 and 79 respectively, however hang loosely, with their lower ends projecting down and extending below the .lower edges of the upper berths 65, preferably to form a covering occupants of the u per compartments. These portions 84 and 85 of a r-urtain preferably overlap one another and areprovided with suitable fastening means such as the buttons 86 cooperating with suitable button holes. It may also be desirable as illustrated in Fig. 6, that suitable fastening means such as buttons 87 be provided on the edges of the upper berths 65 to cooperate witv button holes formed in the curtains 78 and 779,v in the door flap portions 84 and`85 of the curtains 78 and 79.

The .upper berths 65 as illustrated in Fig. 6, preferably have their ends- 88 rounded whereby a recess is formed between adjacent rounded portions 88 to form head room for the occupant of the lower berths, such rounded portions 88 cooperating with the partition portions 82 and 83 to form partitions between such head room and the upper berths.

vbetween the leg room The lower berths are provided with the elongated curtains 89 which are preferably provided with hooks 9() also secured to the rods 81, the curtains 89 as illustrated, extending over the adjacent ends of two succesive upper berths, with a half portionof each curtain supported by its hooks 90 overlapping portions of adjacent curtains 78 and 79 of adjacent ends of successive u er berths. The curtainsf89` preferably in width extend from the rear edge of one end portion 69 to the forward ed e of the succeeding end portion 69 and in flength extend from the rods 81 down to and below the bed portions 91 of the lower berths 68. The curtains 89 are also preferably provided 'with' a slit 92 to provide door flaps for the entrance and egressv of the occupants of the lower berths, each slit having an overlapping portion 93 provided with button holes to receive the buttons 94 formed inthe It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made to the details of construction without departing from the genportion 95 of the curtain 89 disposed below such overlapping portion provided with two curtains 78 and 79 whichv 93 eral spirit of the inventlon as set forth in theA appended claims.

I claim v` 1. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of step formations .for the upper berths formed in the end mem bers of the seats of the lower berths.

2. In a sleeping car, the combination with upperand lower berths, of step formations for the upper berths associated with the end members of the lower berths, and forming partitions between` the lower berths and leg room for the users of the upperberths.

3. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of step formations for the upper berths, curtains cooperating with the step formations to form partitions for the users of the upper berths and the lower berths.

' 4. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of step formations for the upper berths associated with the end members of the seats for the lower berths. such step formations having recesses formed therein and' step projections at the lower ends of said recesses.

5. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of step formations for the upper berths associated with the end members of the seats for the lower berths, su ch step formations comprising step containing housings pivotally connected to the end members, there ing recesses formed in the step containing housings ,andi` step projections associated therewith. v

l 6. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of step formations for the upper^berths associated with the end members ofthe seats for the lower berths,

lll

lll

uch step formations comprising step conaining housings pivotally connected to the end members, there being recesses formed in the step containing housings and step Y projections associated therewith, and there being recesses in the end members to accommodate the step projections when the step containing housings are folded against the Y end members for day use.

upper and lower berths, of end members for j j the lower berths, step formations for the upf per berths associated with the end members of the lower berths, each step formation comprising a step containing housing movable v to a position adjacent to the middle of the upper berth.

8. In a sleeping car,'the combination with upper and lower berths, of end members for the lower berths, step formations for the upf per berths associated with the end members of the lower berths, each step formation comprising a step containing housing movable to a position accessible to the middle of the upper berth.

for the upper berths, each step formation being movable from a. position adjacent to the end of the berth Where it is disposed during the day to a position adjacent the middle of the berth for night use.

10. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of end members for the lower berths, step formations for the upper berths integral with said end members, each step formation being movable longitudinally of the berth.

11. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of step formations for the upper berths integral with the lower berths, leach step formation being movable from a non-usable position to a usable position relative to the upper berth.

12. The combination with a. sleeping car double seat section, of a berth superposed centrally thereof, and a series of xed steps in the end of the section for access to the superposed berth.

13. In a. sleeping car, the combination with -upper and lower berths, of end members for the lower berths, and step formations in said end members for the upper berths, said end members being movable into usable and nonusable position for the step formations.

14. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of end members for the lower berths, and step forma-tions in said v end members for the upper berths, said end members being movable longitudinally of the berths to position the step formations.

15. In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of end members for the lower berths, and step formations integral. with' said end members.

7. In a sleepingcar, the combination with` In a sleeping car, the combination with upper and lower berths, of step formations 16. In a sleeping car, the combination with y TRIMBLE DE ROODE 

